PHILADELPHIA, PA — Halloween is bringing a spirited competition to Northern Liberties as 18 restaurants and bars prepare to compete for the neighborhood’s best Bloody Mary, offering everything from smoky barbecue garnishes to cocktails topped with miniature skulls during two weekends in October.
The seventh annual Monster Mash: Northern Liberties Bloody Mary Challenge returns October 17–18 and 24–25, more than doubling the number of participating establishments from last year. Organized by the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, the event invites visitors to sample Halloween-inspired cocktails, explore neighborhood restaurants and vote for their favorites.
The competition also gives participating businesses an opportunity to attract customers during the fall dining season, with indoor and outdoor seating available at participating locations.
Añejo enters the competition as the reigning champion, facing an expanded field of challengers serving drinks that range from traditional Bloody Marys to elaborate creations featuring smoked meats, seafood, pickled vegetables and Halloween decorations.
Visitors can purchase drinks individually throughout the two weekends and evaluate their selections based on spice and heat, taste, atmosphere and Halloween creativity. Customer voting will determine the overall winner.
Event Details
- What: Monster Mash: Northern Liberties Bloody Mary Challenge
- When: Saturday and Sunday, October 17–18 and October 24–25, 2026
- Where: 18 participating restaurants and bars throughout Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, primarily along North Second Street and surrounding blocks
- Cost/Tickets: Pay-as-you-go; individual cocktails are purchased directly from participating establishments. Published prices range from $13 to $19, with some prices pending.
- More Info: www.explorenorthernliberties.org
- Age Requirement: 21 and older for alcoholic beverages
Eighteen Restaurants Compete for the Title
This year’s competition includes seven newly participating establishments, expanding the selection of Bloody Mary variations available throughout the neighborhood.
Among the returning competitors, El Camino Real will serve a Smokey BBQ Bloody Mary featuring smoked tomato and serrano pepper mix, smoked brisket, a spare rib, candied bacon, pickled green beans and jalapeños. The $14 cocktail is finished with a crushed bacon rim.
Cantina Dos Segundos is offering two options. Its $18 Chupacabra’s Blood combines mezcal, house-made Bloody Mary mix, a shrimp skewer and a smoky pepper rim. The $16 Bruja’s Potion features black garlic-infused tequila, activated charcoal and a Tajín rim.
At North Bowl, the $13 Spice Ghoul takes a different approach with a spicy pickle dirty martini topped with a frozen Bloody Mary skull.
Bourbon and Branch will serve The Misfire, a $15 clarified Bloody Mary martini garnished with a pimento vegan cheese-stuffed olive.
Jerry’s Bar is preparing The Picked Witch, a $15 tomatillo-based Bloody Mary made with pickle vodka, pickle, olive and pepperoncini brines, and garnished with blue cheese olives and gherkins.
Several newcomers are introducing cocktails designed specifically for the Halloween competition.
Mamajuana Cafe Philly will serve La Diabla Bloody Maria, an $18 tequila-based cocktail featuring jalapeño, Tabasco, citrus and savory spices. The drink arrives in a skull-shaped goblet with a Tajín rim and smoky presentation.
Terra Grill is offering The First Bite for $16, featuring a prime beef slider, peppadew pepper “fangs,” sriracha and mozzarella pearl eyes.
Newsroom Philly, participating as Pumpkin Press, will serve The Meaty Mary, a $19 cocktail combining vodka, tomato, horseradish, hot sauce, bacon and shrimp.
Yards Brewing will enter The Vampire Slayer, a $13 Bloody Mary garnished with house-pickled garlic, a wooden stake and vampire-themed decorations.
Other entries include Urban Village’s Ghost of Mary Past, featuring bacon-fat-washed mezcal and a clarified tomato mixture, and Standard Tap’s Jersey Devil, which incorporates bacon-infused vodka, a deviled egg and hot peppers.
Complete List of Participating Establishments
Cocktail descriptions and prices are based on information supplied by event organizers. Additional selections may be announced.
| Restaurant or Bar | Address | Featured Cocktail |
|---|---|---|
| Amina (New) | 1102 Germantown Ave. | To be announced |
| Bar1010 | 701 N. 2nd St. | Mike’s Revenge |
| Bourbon and Branch | 705 N. 2nd St. | The Misfire — $15 |
| Cantina Dos Segundos | 931 N. 2nd St. | Chupacabra’s Blood — $18; The Bruja’s Potion — $16 |
| El Camino Real | 1040 N. 2nd St. | Smokey BBQ Bloody Mary — $14 |
| Luna Marre (New) | 1001 N. 2nd St. | To be announced |
| Mamajuana Cafe Philly (New) | 1000 Frankford Ave. | La Diabla Bloody Maria — $18 |
| Tailgate Sports Bar (New) | 1033 N. 2nd St. | To be announced |
| Jerry’s Bar | 129 W. Laurel St. | The Picked Witch — $15 |
| Newsroom Philly (New) | 1102 Germantown Ave. | The Meaty Mary — $19 |
| North 3rd | 801 N. 3rd St. | To be announced |
| North Bowl | 909 N. 2nd St. | Spice Ghoul — $13 |
| Ortlieb’s | 847 N. 3rd St. | Haunted Hot Dog Bloody Mary — $16 |
| Silk City | 435 Spring Garden St. | Trick or Treat — $14 |
| Standard Tap | 901 N. 2nd St. | Jersey Devil |
| Terra Grill (New) | 1099 Germantown Ave. | The First Bite — $16 |
| Urban Village | 1001 N. 2nd St. | Ghost of Mary Past |
| Yards Brewing (New) | 500 Spring Garden St. | The Vampire Slayer — $13 |
A Neighborhood-Wide Halloween Competition
Unlike a traditional tasting event with a single venue and admission price, Monster Mash allows visitors to create their own itinerary across participating restaurants.
Guests can visit multiple establishments during either weekend, purchase individual cocktails and submit their evaluations. The extended schedule gives participants flexibility to sample different entries without visiting every location on the same day.
The competition also showcases Northern Liberties’ restaurant and bar industry, bringing together established neighborhood businesses and newer dining destinations.
Participating establishments will compete across four judging categories: spice and heat, taste, atmosphere and Halloween-themed presentation. The overall winner will receive the event’s top distinction.
The expanded field presents a new challenge for reigning champion Añejo as competitors experiment with unconventional ingredients and increasingly elaborate garnishes.
Visitors are encouraged to make brunch reservations where available and check individual restaurant hours before visiting.
Additional cocktail selections, participating business information and event updates are available at www.explorenorthernliberties.org.
With 18 establishments participating across two weekends, this year’s Monster Mash gives Philadelphia diners a chance to explore Northern Liberties while helping determine which restaurant or bar earns the neighborhood’s 2026 Bloody Mary title.
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